Wringing machine



w. J SIMS 1,723,894

WRINGING MACHINE Filed May 21, 1,928

William J. Sims, WM

His Attowneg.

Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' WILLIAM J. SIMS, IVER, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL. ELECTRIC COMPANY,

A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK. I

WRING-ING MACHINE.

Application filed May 21, 1923, Serial No. 279,438, and in Great Britain June 14, 1927.

Thisinvention relates to wringing machines and more'particularly to safety de vices whereby, in the event of the fingers of the operator of such a machine being drawn in between a pair of rollers, he is enabled to quickly release the pressure between the rollers and so prevent his fingers from being crushed. In certain types of wringing machines, spring pressure for the rollers is applied by supporting the upper roller at each end in a bracket which is pivotally mounted at the front part of the machine and carries at its rear end a rotatable camshaped member adapted to cooperate with a spring-controlled member at the back portion of the machine. The two cam-shaped members are connected by a member which is parallel to and disposed above the rollers and is provided wit-l1 a projecting portion which is substantially horizontal and projects inwardly when spring pressure is being applied to the rollers through the medium of the spring-controlled member. The arrangement is usually such that the operator must move the projection on the rotatable connecting member upwardly and rearwardly in order to rotate the cams into a position in which the spring pressure between the rollers released. This arrangement has the disadvantage that the upward and rearward movement of the projection on the connecting member takes anappreciable time to perform. The object of the present invention is to provide in conjunction with a safety device of the above character, means whereby a quicker release of the spring pressure on the rollers may be effected.

In accordance with my invention, each cam-shaped member is so shaped that the operator can release the spring pressure by simply moving the inwardly projecting portion on the connecting member in a downward direction. Hence in the event of the operators fingers being caught between the rollers, he may release them in either one of two Ways. He may move the projection on the connecting member, which during normal operation of the wringing machine is substantially horizontal and projects inwardly, in an upward direction, so that the cams rotate in one direction, or alternately, he may move the projection downwardly so that the cams rotate in the opposite direction. The latter operationis the one preferably used by the operator, since it takes a shorter time to perform and hence enables the spring pressure on the rollers to be more quickly released.

In the drawing, wherein I have illustrated one embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a side view partly in section of a wringing machine embodying the invention, and Fig. 2 is a detail view taken at right angles to the View of Fig. 1. Only one end of the machine is shown in the drawing, the other end being similar in all respects.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates a stationary frame which extends longitudinally of the wringer and is provided at its two ends with pockets 2 in which are supported bearings 3 for the lower'wringer roll 4. Pivoted to the upper forward edge of stationary frame 1 is a movable frame comprising two end pieces 5 one at each end. of the machine, joined together by a transversely-extending member 6 having spindles 7 at its ends which fit into bearing openings 8 in end pieces 5. Forming a part of each end piece 5 is a wall forming a pocket 9 in each of which is mounted a suitable bearing 10 which carries the upper wringer roll 11. End pieces 5 at their rear or free ends comprise two spaced pieces 12 through which bearing openings 8 extend and between which project hooks 13 carried by stationary frame 1. The hooks project down through openings in the frame and are surrounded by springs 14: which at "their upper ends engage with a wall of the stationary frame and at their lower ends engage nuts 15 on the lower threaded ends of the hooks. Springs 14 serve to force hooks 13 downwardly, the downward movement being limited by suitable stops 16.

Spindles 7 adjacent to hooks 13 are cut away on their forward sides as is indicated at 17 to provide cam portions 18 for engagement with hooks 13 and they are cut away on their rear sides as indicated at 19. This leaves a comparatively narrow top surface 20 on each spindle with which the hooks 13 engage. Forming a part of transverselyextending member 6 is a forwardly-extending projection or lever 21 having a curved end 22 somewhat shorter than the main pon tion 21 of the projection. At 23 are coiled springs which surround spindle 7 and at raised thereby turning spindles 7 in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1.

This'permits hooks 13 to move down cam surfaces 18 thereby relieving the tension on the rolls. When the wringer is to be used, projection 21 is moved back to the Fig. 1

position, the hooks 13 riding up the cam surface and thereby putting springs 14k under compression. 7

, If itis desired to quickly release the rolls,

' this may be accomplished by pushing downward on the free end of projection or lever 21 thereby turning spindles 7 111 a clockwise directlon as viewed in F g. 1 and permitting ,the hooks 13 to drop down through slot 19.

With' the foregoing arrangement, it will be seen that the wringer rolls may be released by either an upward or downward movement of the projection or lever 21. In

case of an emergency such as occurs should same downward.

the operators hand become caught in the rolls, the rolls can be released immediateiy and-by a comparatively short movement of the projection or lever 21 by forcing the This arrangement has the advantage that in case of an emergency, it requires only striking the projection or lever 21 on its upper surfaee'in order to release the rolls. This is an operation which is much more easy to perform than to raise the plate or lever. On the other hand, the provision of slots 19'whereby the wringer rolls may be released by a downward move ment of the projection or lever 21 does not in any way interfere with the normal release of the rolls through the intermediary of the earns 18.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that they infvention may be carried out by other means.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination, a stationary frame, a movable frame pivoted thereon, wringer rolls carried by said frames, spring-pressed hooks carried by the stationary frame, rotatable members carried by the movable frame and with which the hooks engage to hold the rolls in contact with each other, and means for turning said members in either direction, said rotatable members be ing on away on opposite sides to provide relatively narrow top surfaces for contact with the hooks, whereby when said members are turned in either direction the hooks are released.

2. In combination, a stationary frame, a movable frame pivoted thereon, said movable frame comprising bearing spindles and a forwardly-extending projection, wringer rolls carried by said frames, and springpressed hooks carried by the stationary frame and adapted to engage said spindles to hold the wringer rolls in engagement with each other, said spindles being cut away on their forward sides to provide cams for engagement with the hooks and being cut away on their rear sides to effect release of the hooks when said projertion is moved downwardly.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of May, 1928.

YVILLIAM J. SIMS. 

